Elizabeth
I feel like I always want to like Quindlen's novels a lot more than I actually do. Nothing about this felt new or surprising, and the two main characters were more annoying than sympathetic. The whole thing just felt like the author wrote a novel because she was supposed to, not because she actually cared about writing. It was ok, but not particularly memorable or impressive.
Compelling contemporary fiction spanning four generations of a southern family, their struggles and triumphs, and their ties as women searching for their own identities. I am always on board for a book with strong female characters, and War Eagle Women has them on every page. I enjoyed the differing narrative points of view, as each character was able to tell her own part of the story. The author tackles tough subjects with grace, and gives her readers a story that feels authentic and true to the characters she has created. Good stuff here - will look for more by this author!
Fascinating look at mental health and how our stories about ourselves inform the way our brains respond.
Another change from my normal reading choices - I really didn't care for the main character of this novel, but the story itself was a fun read.
Book three in Kimble's Choir Girls series focuses on Brittany, and I was happy to read this character's story. As always, Kimble tackles an issue that will impact all tweens - this time bullying, as well as unsettling changes in families - but does so with such a light hand that readers don't feel preached at or instructed. The relationships between the girls feel so honest - these aren't stories created to sell books, these are the feelings and dramas that young people face every day, and that's why they resonate. My kids are still probably under the target age group, but I can definitely see myself reading these aloud to them in the coming year. I'm so happy to have found this series, and am thrilled to be able to recommend it. Can't wait for #4!!
(I received an advance copy from the publisher, Touchstone Press, in exchange for my honest opinion.)
Guys, this was SOOO good. I love books like this, that are chewy and rich and thoughtful and wise in funny and surprising ways. I have NOT read the other two books in Robinson's trilogy, but I certainly will. Lila is such an incredible character - scrappy, and strong, and wise in ways I didn't expect. Her relationship with Rev. Ames was so beautiful, and so absolutely true - I loved the ways they challenged each other to think and believe more. I held my breath through the last 100 pages, because I didn't want this story to end. I can't imagine this will not be on my list of favorite books of 2015.
Eleanor Catton is a fantastic writer and also this novel could have been about 25% shorter and also that ending was 😵💫
Katie's first book inspired me at a time in my life that I desperately needed inspiration. This time around, Katie's words are so relatable, in a time that I desperately need to feel like I'm not alone. Her account of her struggles with God - her questions, her doubts, and her deepening faith - resonated through me in my own season of life. Her honesty and authenticity is a breath of fresh air. Highly recommended.
If you enjoyed the first one (and I did), you are most likely going to enjoy this one as well. More development of the world, both Earth and Canaan, and sympathetic new characters to enjoy. Pretty typical YA fantasy romance, but it's popular for a reason, and this was a lot of fun.
Why, in a story about Marie Curie titled “A Mind Of Her Own”, did the author choose to make the final scene be a man talking her into marrying him??
I had the same problem with this book that I did with MacDonald's other two novels - I expected them to be better than they were. This was certainly well written, and I enjoyed the humor sprinkled throughout. I found much of the story relatable - as a mom, a daughter, a partner. I understood much of the darkness in the book, and thought it was quite realistic. The relationships, with their good and hard moments, felt authentic and true. I just wanted more from the story, and it ultimately didn't deliver. It was fine, but probably won't be one of the books I remember from 2015.
Another delightful sojourn with the Bachelor Brothers - while this book does have more of an overall narrative arc, I would still recommend reading the original BBB&B first to get the best feel for the characters. Smart, literary, and wonderful.
This was, for me, quite a unique take on the zombie fiction genre. While it had a healthy dose of the blood & terror I expected, it also had a lighthearted sense of humor about itself that was really quite refreshing. Interesting musings on identity and discrimination and a setting in rural Iowa gave the book depth and value for me. I was pleasantly surprised by this novel, and I would definitely read more by this author.
Great characters and fun mystery, but lost momentum for me at the end - and had an extremely abrupt ending. Still, I will probably look for the second in the series.
So, about 2 weeks ago I decided to read all the books in the Star Wars Universe canon - because why not, right?
And then I figured out the my library had almost all of them, so I actually could read through them. So here goes!
Dark Disciple is set during the Clone Wars, and features Obi-Wan and Anakin as Jedi trying to take down Count Dooku. Vos is the hapless Jedi sent to do the dirty work, and Ventress the kickass female assassin selected unwillingly to be his partner. Naturally, romance and highjinks ensue. This was fun and quick, with enough familiar characters to draw readers in, but strong enough protagonists to keep them engaged throughout. Great start to this particular reading journey!
I had issues with the book - it seemed like it wanted to be a longer novel, like with a bit more exploration, the relationship and plot would have flowed and felt more natural. I struggled with the seemingly sudden introduction of the supernatural elements - again, perhaps a bit more time to allow the reader to feel the need for those elements would make them seem less intrusive. That said, I read the book in about 2 days, so it was definitely entertaining!
(I was provided with a review copy of this novel by the published via Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.)
I've seen several reviews that say the novel started strong, and then lost steam in the middle. I disagree. I feel like this novel was a convoluted mess from the very beginning. “Mystery” characters that weren't very mysterious, “secret” conversations that (surprise, surprise) weren't very secret, and an entire secondary plot that was basically abandoned halfway through the book.
It just seems like Neville didn't have enough to say - like she needed a 500 page novel, but she really only had enough story for a 300 page novel, so she just added a bunch of poorly wrought confusion and hoped the reader wouldn't notice. Interestingly, there are places where the novel is genuinely intriguing and even a bit thrilling - it just isn't sustained nearly long enough to be an overall enjoyable reading experience.
I was quite interested in the historical aspects of this book, but I felt like the book promised a “great love story” that it never quite delivered. I was mostly interested in the relationship between Edie and her husband, and it didn't feel like the author knew that much about it. Good, but somewhat disappointing.
I will always be here for a novel featuring a plucky heroine escaping from a cult, and this novel fit the bill. I loved the use of biblical references at the start of each chapter, to illustrate the abuse inherent in each one. I liked the twist on the love triangle, and the emphasis on friendship. There were moments that were somewhat predictable, but I still couldn't wait to turn each page. Highly entertaining from start to finish.
I just can't get enough of these Rizzoli & Isles novels. I love both characters, and Gerritsen's mysteries are always compelling. Another great installment in this fun series.
This novel definitely tested my love of all things Tudor. I sense that Margaret of Scotland has less source material about her life available than the rest of the rowdy clan, because the author seemed to give her the same thoughts over and over again, and unfortunately for the reader, those thoughts tended to the whiny and self-absorbed. Gregory really wanted her readers to believe that Margaret was highly beloved, by her two sister-queens, and by the procession of handsome, accomplished men she called husband. Unfortunately, she didn't give us much reason to believe that, instead portraying a women whose obsession with place and precedence was nearly all she ever thought about.
All that said, while this is certainly not my favorite of Gregory's Tudor novels, it did have all the juicy, gossipy pseudo-soap opera-y relationship shenanigans that make Gregory one of my main comfort read authors. Don't read this thinking you will fall in love with the main character - do read it for the insanity of the royal life that you just can't get enough of. It wasn't my favorite, but it wasn't the worst thing I've ever read either.
Well, this was just delightful! I'm always on the lookout for a good series for my daughter, who is just a touch younger than the target demographic here, but will be ready for it soon - and I think the Choir Girls series is going to be just perfect.
I'm always impressed when an author can write a book that really captures the essence of junior high - that self-absorbed yet truly seeking part of a young person's life. Kimble infuses this novel with enough fun to draw her audience in, yet remains thoughtful throughout, never talking down to or underestimating her readers. This is certainly a book about tweens, but the ideas of standing up for what's right and being brave enough to confront a friend when they are in the wrong are applicable far beyond those junior high years.
Kimble writes from a place of faith - Summer and her friends attend church, and there are references to the Bible and its teachings - but the novel never feels preachy or stuffy. I appreciated the way the author was able to convey the moral message of the story organically within the flow of the narrative.
I'm thrilled to have found this series, and I can't wait to read more! Definitely recommended for anyone looking for a light-hearted yet smart read for their mid-grade reader.
(I received an Advance Copy of the book from TouchPoint Press in exchange for my honest opinion - but I will definitely be purchasing this series for my daughter's shelf!)
The Eight uses a lot of ingredients that have been successfully incorporated many times since in popular books and movies - Freemasonry, alchemy, the mysterious Middle East. Because these tropes have become so popular as plot devices, the possibility of them feeling stale is high. I felt like this novel was able to stand on its own well, despite the passing of years, because of Neville's expert weaving together of all these familiar strands into a story both exciting and fresh.
Neville's two main heroines, Cat and Mireille, were intelligent and dauntless, and following their dangerous and heroic exploits was complete and utter fun. I genuinely felt anxious on more than one occasion, because I was that involved in their stories. Because this novel has been the inspiration for so much that followed, some of the plot twists were easier to predict, but there were still plenty of surprises along the way.
Very, very good - definitely recommended.
The best novel I've read about the toll living with mental illness takes on family members. So exquisitely empathetic and yet unflinchingly honest - at times it took my breath away. I felt every page of this book.